Are Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan answer to India's opening conundrum?

Even though India was ranked number one in the ICC ODI team ratings, there were very few who backed the ‘men in blue’ to go all the way to the summit clash. Many wondered if the young batting unit, coming straight from the IPL, would be able to handle the moving ball in English conditions. It also didn’t help that the two men appointed to start the innings were Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma – one making his comeback into the ODI side after a two-year hiatus; and the other, a makeshift opener.

But the way the duo responded to the challenge has left many pleasantly surprised. Not only have they seen through the opening spells without being separated, but have also scored at a fast rate. In four games in the tournament so far, the pair has put on scores of 127, 101, 58 and 77 for the first wicket and ensured that there is a solid platform for the vaunted middle order to build on.

One cant also complain about the aesthetic value they provide – while Rohit, with his languid drives and wristy flicks, appeals to the purists and oozes lazy elegance in his willow wielding art, Dhawan, with moustache and swagger, brings in a rustic charm. He is someone who loves width outside his off stump and fancies the upper cut even in the nineties, and has made sure that the crowd doesn’t miss a certain Virender Sehwag.

True, they have been helped by the fact that there hasn’t been much swing in the air or seam off the pitch one generally expects to encounter in England, but runs, especially in the beginning of the innings, have been quite hard to come by. Even as the ordained stroke-makers of other teams, the likes of Gayle, Dilshan and Watson, struggled in the event, the Indian pair have found the right mix of defense and aggression and painted a picture of assurance in the middle.

The most pleasing aspect of their batting has been their positive intent. Even when the bowling side is on the attack, any loose half volleys or short deliveries have been put to the sword. Both Dhawan and Rohit have not shied away from using their feet against the seamers or going aerial during the field restriction period, thus maintaining a healthy run rate.

However, amidst all the hype lies the danger of getting carried away. Despite their brilliant show, there are still many areas where the duo can improve before becoming a finished product.

There is no one who questions Rohit’s potential; but his temperament in the international arena has left a lot to be desired. In all the four matches in the current event, he did all the hard work and got off to fluent starts; but just when it was time to reap the rewards, Rohit found a way to get out. The modes of dismissals – a mistimed pull, a tickle down the leg side, a push to the short-midwicket – and the worst of all – an attempted hoick over the covers – show that always it has been a case of him throwing his wicket away rather than getting outdone by the bowler.

Dhawan is relatively new in the international scene, but already there is a murmur in among the fast bowlers about his apparent susceptibility against the rising ball. Though he isn’t afraid of playing the pull shot, well-directed bouncers tend to get him tangled up. He may get away in the ODIs due to the limitations on the short delivery, but there will be lot of questions asked when he dons the white flannels.

Now as Rohit and Dhawan prepare to face James Anderson and co. in the finals, their toughest test in the tournament so far, many would wonder if India has found a long-term solution at the top of the order. Having proved their mettle in England, surely this pair should be around when India begins its World Cup defence in 2015 in Australia. It will all depend on how the duo react to sterner tests starting from tomorrow’s final.